Iowa Energy name Bjorkgren new coach

August 23, 2013

DES MOINES - The Iowa Energy decided to go after a former assistant when picking their new head coach. And the Energy formally introduced their newest head coach - Nate Bjorkgren - at a press conference Thursday.

"Nate Bjorkgren is the perfect coach for the Iowa Energy," said owner Jerry Crawford. "We announced that he would be our coach when Nick Nurse left, and that prompted Golden State to hire him and put him first in North Dakota then in Santa Cruz. All Nate did there was take them to the championship game against Nick Nurse.

"The Iowa Energy is the most successful winter season franchise in Iowa history. Nate will help make sure that continues."

Bjorkgren began his professional coaching career when he became an assistant coach with the Iowa Energy in their inaugural season in 2007-08. He became lead assistant under Nurse two years later and helped Iowa go 124-76 during his time in Des Moines. That included two 37-13 seasons and three straight Eastern Conference titles.

Bjorkgren has been a head coach in the D-League for two seasons and finished with a regular season record of 61-39. His 2012-13 Santa Cruz squad was the No. 1 ranked defensive team in the D-League and his 2011-12 Dakota team was the No. 3 ranked defensive team in the league.

"It is very special to be able to come home and have the Energy name me their coach," Bjorkgren said. "I have incredible memories from my time with the franchise and I look forward to making a run at another NBA D-League championship."